Evaluating post-acute COVID-19 sequelae in younger population using symptom burden questionnaire (SQL)

The COVID-19 pandemic, declared by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, has led to over 650 million infections globally and a significant burden of long-term health issues, termed post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) or long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). This cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence and distribution of persistent symptoms among individuals aged 18-25 years using the Symptom Burden Questionnaire™ for Long COVID (SBQ™-LC), which evaluates 123 symptoms across 17 health domains. Our hypothesis interprets that the pandemic has laid mental health challenges among younger populations, evidenced by increased rates of depression and anxiety. Data from participants revealed high rates of mental health issues, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunctions, even among those with mild or asymptomatic infections. Notably, female participants reported higher symptom severity across most domains. This research underscores the necessity for targeted assessments of post-acute sequelae in young adults to enhance understanding and management of long COVID-related health issues.